The UN has voiced concerns over the apparent use of UN-marked helicopters by Kiev troops in their military operation against Donetsk regional militia. A video of a white-painted Mil Mi-24 strike helicopter with UN logo has emerged.

When inquired about the United Nations’ stance on the use of
peacekeeper-marked military hardware in non-peacekeeper
operations, the office for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s
spokesperson said such use would violate UN rules.

“It is the responsibility of Troop Contributing Countries
(TCCs) that provide Contingent Owned Equipment to peacekeeping
missions to remove all logos and signage bearing the UN's name
once such equipment has been repatriated to the home country or
is no longer being used for official UN purposes,” the
office told RT.

It added that UN-marked aircraft can be used for missions tasked
by the UN and that UN’s Departments of Peacekeeping Operations
and Field Support is in contact with the Ukrainian authorities to
clarify the issue.

A video of a UN-marked Mil Mi-24 strike helicopter was published
on Tuesday by LifeNews television. It said its correspondents
covering Kiev’s military operation in the
Donetsk Region took the video near Kramatorsk. LifeNews said at
least three combat Mi-24 and one transport Mi-8 helicopters
carrying UN colors were spotted in the area.

Russia said it “certainly” is interested in finding out
more on the situation.

“We certainly want to understand how it happened that the UN
logo – a UN-painted helicopter – was used against protesters in
the east and the south. The United Nations has already expressed
it very deep concern,” Russia’s Foreign Minister said in an
interview with Bloomberg.

The Ukrainian Defense Ministry has denied the claims, saying that
no UN-marked helicopters participated in its military operation
in the southeast of the country.

“The helicopters colored in white paint, which formerly took
part in peacekeeping missions, are used. However, they only have
emblems on them that confirm they belong to the armed forces of
Ukraine,” the ministry’s press-service told
Interfax-Ukraine.

The Ukrainian military has provided equipment for several UN
peacekeeping missions, particularly in the Democratic Republic of
Congo.